Scar Ridge recon

[yuckster]

I'm interested in checking this out, perhaps hiking up the 4WD road that appears below these drainages (KMZ) centered below the main summit. I'm most interested in the big one off the summit, if it's the same one I think I saw from the road. (Need to bring a compass and double check that.) Accessing it could be really effing nasty though, so, I'm thinking maybe just hike through the region sans skis and check out the east side too, which is supposed to be nice.

I've also got a location in Vermont I want to check out, from the ground up.

Any takers? Let me know if interested, and we'll figure out a date. I have off Thursday through Monday but Thursday I probably have to spend the morning at DMV Will be at Killington Sat/Sun.

[astrotech]

I reconed that out this summer and have sorted out the way in. The first 15 minutes will be smooth skinning as it follows an existing trail. After that you have to follow a stream bed up the mountain to the slide. It was pretty gnarly work this summer lots of blow downs to get around and there are multiple forks in the stream bed, so navigation is a key. Also, keep in mind that anywhere there can be a landslide there can be an avalanche also, and the remoteness of that location will make any rescue operations one hell of an ordeal.

That being said, the slides on Osceola, including that one, are on my hit list. At this point it is just waiting for the conditions to be good for it, and getting together a party with the right mix of skills.

Feel free to PM me if you want some more info.

M.

[RR]

Originally Posted by yuckster

I'm interested in checking this out, perhaps hiking up the 4WD road that appears below these drainages (KMZ) centered below the main summit. I'm most interested in the big one off the summit, if it's the same one I think I saw from the road. (Need to bring a compass and double check that.) Accessing it could be really effing nasty though, so, I'm thinking maybe just hike through the region sans skis and check out the east side too, which is supposed to be nice....

That's a good BC Trail, but the cover is likely to be quite poor just now. here is a link to Topozone:http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=19...83&layer=DRG25

The jeep trail is actually the Livermore Road. It starts at the Depot Camp WMNF parking area in Waterville Valley and there is a day-use fee, for cars parked there w/o a current WMNF parking sticker. The cover in that area usually comes into shape in late January through early March. Search on North Slide, Tripyramid for more beta.

[yuckster]

Originally Posted by RR

That's a good BC Trail, but the cover is likely to be quite poor just now. here is a link to Topozone:http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=19...83&layer=DRG25

The jeep trail is actually the Livermore Road. It starts at the Depot Camp WMNF parking area in Waterville Valley and there is a day-use fee, for cars parked there w/o a current WMNF parking sticker. The cover in that area usually comes into shape in late January through early March. Search on North Slide, Tripyramid for more beta.

Not sure we're talking about the same BC trails, but... hmmm, that trail on Tripyramid looks like it has a lot of potential for easy access...

[astrotech]

Originally Posted by yuckster

Not sure we're talking about the same BC trails,

OK, I was just wondering that myself. When I opened your link I got an image of the north face of the Osceolas. That area I was doing some hiking on this summer, scoping things out. The south face of the Osceolas and The Scaur I haven't been to yet.

[Sledhaulingmedic]

North Slide is on my list, as the access is good. Oceola looks interesting too. I haven't been in there in 10+ years.

I'm game. Weds-Fri is open the next couple of weeks. I think we need more snow if it's going to be more than just recon.

[yuckster]

The one I was most interested is the leftmost of the three obvious slides visible from the Kanc, the one that is nestled into the left in a lower-angle open book, instead of straight down a steep face like the other two. I suspect that's the one visible in the google earth link directly below the Osceola main summit, on the north face. Seems to be one of the biggest low-angle slides in the Whites (that I've seen from a road so far, anyway.)

It's probably just going to be hiking and recon this time due to the snow cover. I could get up there on friday, though.

[Sledhaulingmedic]

This week's out, but the next two Friday's could work. I'd definitely be game for a hike.

[astrotech]

Originally Posted by yuckster

The one I was most interested is the leftmost of the three obvious slides visible from the Kanc, ...

Yup, I know which one you are talking about. Any skier who stops over at the Han**** Overlook sees that thing and makes plans to ski it. The access to it sucks.

[172Recon]

I've been looking at it for a couple of years trying to figure out the best avenue of approach. Looks like it may involve a good amount of "whacking" even in Winter. I may be wrong. Also, as for the gullies themselves, i'm not sure of the snow loading potential. It could be a nasty trip up or down depending on if those chutes get wind scoured. I've looked at the chutes with some pretty high powered binos and there is definately some icefall potential.

I'd really like to get a topo map quadrant of that area for the lower portion. It may make the approach easier with a good navigation plan.

[steep'n'deep]

Not sure if this is the same slide, but jdw put up this TR last spring.

http://www.timefortuckerman.com/foru...hlight=osceola

Even if it's not the same, it still looks pretty cool.

[172Recon]

Originally Posted by steep'n'deep

Not sure if this is the same slide, but jdw put up this TR last spring.

http://www.timefortuckerman.com/foru...hlight=osceola

Even if it's not the same, it still looks pretty cool.

Very close. The Scar Ridge gullies and the gullies coming off East Osceola are divided by the East Pond Trail. I believe the Scar Ridge lies just West. Either way, that trip that you referenced is a good indicator of hour these gullies may look. I saw the posting when it was written and I thought that was it, then when I got the WMNF map out I noticed that the locations were slightly different.

[RR]

Ohhhh, That Scaur Ridge: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=19...83&layer=DRG25

Yup, those have been done. Not by me, but I recall that access was via the East Pond Trail off the Kanc in one case and via the drainage on the other. Both were reported as arduous, but if it was me, I'd rather climb it before sliding on it.

[jdw]

Originally Posted by yuckster

I'm interested in checking this out, perhaps hiking up the 4WD road that appears below these drainages (KMZ) centered below the main summit.

Another good source of beta is going to be www.viewsfromthetop.com. check out their forums and search on scar ridge. A lot of folks make it up there as it's one of the NE 100 highest. My guess is at least a half dozen TRs (summer). East Pond would appear to be the preferred access, but with the Tripoli road closed for the winter, Kanc access might be more promising (that and the lack of a need to go back up after skiing!)

Also saw one accessing the main slide of Osceola (the "armpit" in El-bagr parlance) from the bottom. didn't look too bad. wait, was that you astrotech? i can't remember. anyhow, i'm hoping to get on one or more of these once March rolls around and we've got maximum snow depth and hopefuly into a corn cycle. cramponning up while frozen is a nice way to go....

give a shout if anyone's headed out!

[astrotech]

Originally Posted by jdw

Also saw one accessing the main slide of Osceola (the "armpit" in El-bagr parlance) from the bottom. didn't look too bad. wait, was that you astrotech?

I haven't done a winter trip on those slides yet. Just a couple summer hikes up to check things out. I do want to hit those sldes this winter though. Just have to wait for the conditions to be right. When I head up I'll send out a notice.